From G. H. Darwin to Emma Darwin [6 October 1861]

My dear Mama

I received that tremendously long list of moths from M^r King. What a box it must have been! Did they come all safe. Is there any way of having them  perhaps they are arranged in the box according to the order  So don't take them out of the box. I have copied out all the names with their numbers & I shall send the printed list back; & of course I shan't get any more from him. Wilson sent me the Intelligencers for the last three weeks all at once which he had forgotten; & now it is really shut up. I believe the Zoologist will answer the purpose now. I believe my watch will want cleaning soon for it has stopt two times without the slightest provocation.

The other day we had a letter from Effie inviting us to dinner on Saturday. I didn't expect he would let us go but he did. Joe went in the afternoon and played at Croquet & at Aunt Sally a little. The ground is much smaller than at Down of course & it is much easier nevertheless I played much worse than usual.

Miss Thornton came home in time for dinner, there also came a gentleman who has been a schoolmaster at Charterhouse for a week. He was called Henry . . . I should say he must be some near relation to Miss [Linat]. There was also a boy from Charterhouse called Edward & who he was I can't make out. After dinner they talked scandal about M^rs Pritchard who seems to be just as much disliked in Clapham as she is by us. The house is ful of pictures from the top to the bottom.

The other day Frank had great grief over an arithmetic exam because he couldn't get a single sum right. I've not an idea how to address M^r King but I suppose the spirit will inspire me in time.